Where are we? Where do we want to go?

I last wrote about this subject during the height of the pandemic. During a major crisis, it is vital that a leader both assess the Current State with clear-eyed realism as well as point to the Future State with confidence and ambition. It’s easy to understand why both realism and confidence are required in the midst of upheaval. What is always surprising to me is how often leaders forget the importance of these basics when more “normal” times return.

Most teams and organizations are in the midst of making a pivot right now. While the pandemic is not behind us, we can see that we are indeed “rounding the corner.” Why do so many leaders assume that everyone knows and agrees on where we are and where we want to go?

It’s easy to assume that because a group of people have worked together, survived a crisis together, learned how to Zoom together, that you are in agreement about where you are and where you’re going. One of the cardinal rules of leadership is Never Assume. Never assume that your perspective is everyone’s perspective. Never assume that you have drawn the same lessons from the past year as everyone else. Never assume that your clarity of vision about next steps is shared by others. Never assume you are all on the same page unless you have taken the time to get on the same page.

In other postings, I have said there are times to Go Slow first so you can Go Fast next. This is one of those times. As our pace quickens during this pivot, don’t miss the opportunity to gather a team and ask some basic questions to ensure you are aligned and in agreement:

• What did we learn during the last year?
• What did we do particularly well? Where did we fall short?
• What were some of our most successful innovations?
• How are employees coping?
• How do our clients/customers view us?
• How have our partners and competitors changed?
• What is our financial status?

These are all questions that help a team develop a clear-eyed, realistic and shared view of the Current State. They answer the question: Where Are We Now, Really?

• What did we learn in the past year that we should maintain going forward?
• What did we learn we can do without?
• When we re-examine our goals and our Strategic Plan, are there aspects that are too ambitious? Not ambitious enough?
• Have our priorities changed? Are we actually setting priorities? What should we Start? Stop? Continue?

These are all questions that help a team develop an aspirational and aligned vision of the Future State. They answer the question: Where Do We Want to Go?

High-performance teams share a common purpose. Common purpose is forged and strengthened by a deliberate, explicit examination and agreement around Where Are We? and Where Do We Want To Go?

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Last week I offered a free 90 minute live virtual coaching session to the first 50 readers that signed-up and within days we were overwhelmed by the thousands of people that applied. And while we can only accommodate 50 for this session, I wanted to let others know you can contact my staff at [email protected] to setup a call to learn more or to request information about the work we do at Carly Fiorina Enterprises.